The Pittsburgh Pirates will attempt a series sweep of their NL Central rival, the Milwaukee Brewers, when the teams meet this afternoon.
My Pirates vs. Brewers predictions expect Pittsburgh to sweep a series in Milwaukee for the first time in a decade.
Find out why in my MLB picks for Sunday, April 26.
Who will win Pirates vs Brewers today: Pirates (+107)
Carmen Mlodzinski takes the bump for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he’s shown improvement in his arsenal. His split-finger usage has nearly doubled from last year, a key reason he’s ranked in the 91st percentile in barrel rate.
Mlodzinski faces a Milwaukee Brewers lineup that’s posted a .074 ISO and a 76 wRC+ over the last two weeks, ranking dead-last in both metrics.
Kyle Harrison is prime for some regression, given his ERA of 3.06 is far exceeding his 4.41 xERA. Pittsburgh’s bullpen also has the fourth-best xERA over the past two weeks and will close out the win.
COVERS INTEL: Carmen Mlodzinski is averaging 38.4 inches of vertical drop on his split-finger fastball, an increase of 2.1 inches over last season.
Pirates vs Brewers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (-110)
We were unfortunate to hit the Under yesterday, with the game tied at 3-3 heading into extra innings. That said, we take that route again today.
Harrison is getting strikeouts on a consistent basis, an area where the top of Pittsburgh’s lineup has struggled at times.
The Pirates rank sixth in strikeout rate over the past two weeks, which has negated their high BABIP. They’re also right at 100 in wRC+ in that span.
The Brewers have scored just nine runs in their last four games, and their struggles at the plate will help keep this score low.
[WRITER NAME]'s 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 1-4, -3.50 units
Over/Under bets: 4-1, +2.91 units
Pirates vs Brewers odds
Moneyline: Pirates +108 | Brewers -113
Run line: Pirates +1.5 (-194) | Brewers -1.5 (+186)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-104) | Under 7.5 (+100)
Pirates vs Brewers trend
The Pittsburgh Pirates have hit the run line in 15 of their last 22 games (+9.65 Units / 34% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Pirates vs. Brewers.
How to watch Pirates vs Brewers and game info
Location
American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Sunday, April 26, 2026
First pitch
2:10 p.m. ET
TV
SNP, Brewers.TV
Pirates starting pitcher
Carmen Mlodzinski (1-1, 3.28 ERA)
Brewers starting pitcher
Kyle Harrison (1-1, 3.06 ERA)
Pirates vs Brewers latest injuries
Pirates vs Brewers weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
A pitcher due for negative regression takes the mound for the Kansas City Royals as they wrap up a series with the Anaheim Angels on Sunday Night Baseball. After being blown out yesterday, the Halos will look to avoid a sweep, and we like their chances to do it.
My Angels vs. Royals predictions and MLB picks see value in backing the underdog tonight.
Who will win Angels vs Royals today: Angels (+102)
Kansas City Royals arm Seth Lugo is getting respect from bookmakers because of his career body of work, but this season's underlying profile suggests regression is coming.
While I don’t have a strong conviction in this game, I see this moneyline as a coin flip, which gives me more than enough value to back Anaheim.
Los Angeles Angels hurler Reid Detmers is going to give up runs because he’s a chase-reliant pitcher facing one of the most disciplined lineups in baseball. This is a bet on him being serviceable. It’s also a bet on L.A.'s free-swinging approach causing Lugo issues.
Lugo ranks in the Bottom 30th percentile of baseball in chase rate and whiff rate, meaning the things that usually present problems for this L.A. lineup won’t be present.
He also ranks well below league average in barrel rate. Quietly, this Angels lineup has raked, ranking sixth in the MLB in barrel rate.
COVERS INTEL:Seth Lugo’s expected ERA is nearly three full runs higher than his actual ERA of 1.15, which is one of the largest gaps in baseball right now.
Angels vs Royals Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-110)
It’s hard to back the Angels without also taking the Over, so I’ll do that. I made this a total of 9.3.The Angels' aggressive plate approach should actually work to their advantage, given the pitching dynamics I’ve outlined above.
Conversely, the Royals boast a disciplined order with a 29% chase rate, sitting comfortably below the league average. This suggests Detmers won't find much success baiting them out of the zone.
Forced to attack, he’s much more vulnerable against a KC lineup featuring legitimate barrel threats like Jac Caglianone and Bobby Witt Jr., among others.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 9-7, +1.67 units
Over/Under bets: 9-8, +0.8 units
Angels vs Royals odds
Moneyline: Angels +105 | Royals -125
Run line: Angels +1.5 (-200) | Royals -1.5 (+150)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Angels vs Royals trend
The Royals have cashed the first five innings moneyline in 11 of their last 18 home games for +4.3 units and a 17% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Angels vs. Royals.
How to watch Angels vs Royals and game info
Location
Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Date
Sunday, April 26, 2026
First pitch
7:20 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Angels starting pitcher
NAME (X-X, X.XX ERA)
Royals starting pitcher
NAME (X-X, X.XX ERA)
Angels vs Royals latest injuries
Angels vs Royals weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
World champion pulls clear of Paul Seixas on final climb
‘It means a lot to win again one of the biggest races’
The world champion, Tadej Pogacar, pulled ahead of the 19-year-old French debutant Paul Seixas in the final climb to secure his third straight Liège-Bastogne-Liège title on Sunday, his fourth overall victory in the race.
Pogacar finished the 259.5km race in five hours, 50 minutes and 28 seconds to win the 13th Monument title of his career and his third of the year after the Tour of Flanders and Milan-San Remo.
The Maven wants you to know that a lof of smart people in the National Hockey League believe that your Rangers stink.
And I'm not talking about Islanders fans nor anyone else who has a vested interested in the Blueshirts' good and welfare. Here's a simple explanation:
I just finished reading Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons who wrote;
"More than one (NHL) agent told me that the Rangers are the worst-run team in the NHL."
This from the most veteran and best sports writer on the continent. Look around the NHL and see who succeeds and fails.
Hottest, fastest young teams in the playoffs are the Canadiens and Ducks. Each team is sprinkled with former Rangers.
Not that long ago, Habs boss (Director of Hockey Ops) Jeff Gorton was turning the Rangers into a contender, along with arguably the most popular off-ice Blueshirt – John Davidson.
One day some MSG genius got Rangers' owner Jim Dolan's ear, fed him some apple sauce and Slim Jim fired Gorton-Davidson, leaving the Faithful with "the worst-run team in the NHL."
We'll find out next season whether it's "the worst-run team in history!"
Legendary singer Ginette Reno was the guest of honor at the season finale of En direct de l’univers last night and revealed an interesting tidbit. Back in 1968, when the new Forum was inaugurated, Reno sang the national anthem with Paul Anka, and the Montreal Canadiens wanted to thank her with a pair of lifetime tickets, which she turned down. Recalling the event on the show last night, she said:
“I said no, why should I have that? My kids want to kill me for that today; my two boys want to kill me. Today, I’d say yes.”
-
It’s funny to think that the singer could have had tickets to the Canadiens’ most glorious decade, but she passed on them. The fact that she says she’d say yes today goes to show how exciting this new iteration of the Habs is.
The 80-year-old singer was in good enough shape to be the weekly show’s guest, but she said she’s not in as good health today. In a recent interview with 7 Jours magazine, she explained:
I’m healthy, but I don’t have much strength. I’m breaking like porcelain. My back really hurts, I walk with a cane, and I can’t sing standing up anymore. [...] There are days when I wake up, and I feel like I have no resources. I’m running on empty with no energy and no strength at all. I’m in bed all day, and it can last two or three days.
- Reno on her health
It’s quite understandable that her days singing the national anthem for the Canadiens’ games are long gone, but she did give the fans some good performances over the years. Especially when she sang the anthems during the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs in the second round against the Boston Bruins on April 22, 2014, as she got off the ice, she shook Daniel Briere’s hand, and minutes later, the diminutive center was scoring a goal. She returned in 2017 in the series against the New York Rangers, but the Habs ended up losing in the first round.
You can always count on New York to serve up baseball headlines, and this year is no different.
The New York Mets are off to a disastrous start, but starter Nolan McLean deserves our attention. So too does Landen Roupp, who has been doing his best to keep San Francisco afloat.
My favorite MLB player props for April 26 wrap up with Ernie Clement, the Toronto Blue Jays’ Mr. Reliable.
Best MLB player props today
Player
Pick
Odds
Ernie Clement
Over 1.5 total bases
+105
Nolan McLean
Over 7.5 strikeouts
-106
Landen Roupp
Over 5.5 strikeouts
+116
Ernie Clement Over 1.5 total bases [+105]
The Blue Jays have been rocked by key injuries during the first month of the season, and that’s made Ernie Clement’s consistency at the plate even more valuable — which is why he made my MLB picks card.
With his .324 batting average and ability to make contact, he’s earned a spot up the order — and he’ll get pitches to hit as long as he’s slotted ahead of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Clement brings a nine-game hit streak into today’s clash with the Cleveland Guardians, and he’s clubbed seven doubles in that span.
I like his chances of doing damage today against Cleveland starter Slade Cecconi, who gave up seven runs on 10 hits in his last outing.
Time: 1:37 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SN, CLEG
Nolan McLean Over 7.5 strikeouts [-106]
Nolan McLean has wasted no time confirming his impressive 2025 cameo was no fluke.
As New York tries to climb out of its 9-17 hole, McLean is a good choice to lead the charge. He’s gone past this O/U number in four of his five starts this year, and he racked up 10 Ks in Tuesday’s loss to the Minnesota Twins.
McLean enters with a 2.67 ERA and 0.76 WHIP, and he’ll pose major problems here for a Rockies lineup that struck out 15 times against New York on Friday.
Time: 1:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SNY, COLR
Landen Roupp Over 5.5 strikeouts [+116]
The San Francisco Giants are off to a wobbly 12-15 start, but Landen Roupp has taken the ball in four of those wins, and this prop feels like good value at plus odds today against the Miami Marlins.
Roupp has finished with six or more Ks in four of his five outings this season, and he outpitched Yoshinobu Yamamoto earlier this week while holding the stacked L.A. Dodgers lineup to just one hit through five innings of work.
Leaning on his sinker and curveball, especially against righties, Roupp looks poised to be one of 2026’s breakout arms, and that spells trouble for the Marlins here.
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBCS-Bay Area, MIAM
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Atlanta Braves are looking to extend their successful series record, but for the Philadelphia Phillies, after last week’s embarrassing sweep against them on their home turf, they’re looking to repay the favor and snap that extension.
Let’s look at these rosters.
The lineup for the Braves looks pretty identical to yesterday’s with a familiar face returning. Michael Harris II will be set to DH with an official spot back on the lineup. It’s safe to say that his presence is much appreciated and anticipated after his late scratch earlier in the series. Especially when you look at his past stats against Phillies Pitcher Aaron Nola, with 27 total at-bats against the righty, he averages a .943 OPS with three homers and seven total hits.
Jorge Mateo will also be rejoining the squad as shortstop, looking to get his first start against Nola and hopefully continuing his successful stint with the team.
Chris Sale is set to take the mound, making this his ninth start against the team and has allowed no more than a single run to the Phillies in each of his last three starts against them.
As for their opponent, the Phillies are also keeping their lineup pretty similar to yesterday’s, with an addition of Felix Reyes on left field and Dylan Moore in center.
Don’t let Nola’s 5.06 ERA fool you, he’s no stranger to the Braves’ offense, and with his advanced arsenal, he’s ready to make a statement.
After finally gaining a long-awaited success yesterday, they’re hoping to extend it and put a stop to the Bravos’ MLB-leading streak.
Tune in to watch the finale at 1:35, and come back to us after to discuss the results.
Some of the best sluggers in the majors hit the diamond today during a full MLB slate.
My MLB player props will look for Aaron Judge, Matt Olson, and Munetaka Murakami to go long today.
Read the full analysis in my MLB picks below for Sunday, April 26.
Best MLB home run props today
Player to hit a HR
Odds
Aaron Judge
+240
Matt Olson
+300
Munetaka Murakami
+290
💲Today's HR parlay
+5204
Aaron Judge (+240)
Aaron Judge is not making quite as much contact as he’d like, batting just .229 so far this season, but the power is there as always. The New York Yankees superstar has nine home runs and is just two back of the league lead.
Judge will reach double digits in the home run column this afternoon against a Houston Astros pitching staff that can’t keep the ball in the park.
The Astros have allowed 42 dingers already — the second most in the majors — while their bullpen has given up an MLB-worst 25 home runs and holds a collective 6.19 ERA.
Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: YES, SCHN
Matt Olson (+300)
The Atlanta Braves are off to a hot start, thanks in large part to Matt Olson. Atlanta ranks third in MLB with 38 home runs, and seven have come off Olson’s bat.
All seven of Olson’s dingers have come in his last 22 games as he’s batting .304 with a ridiculous 1.034 OPS in April.
Philadelphia Phillies starter Aaron Nola holds a 5.06 ERA and has allowed four home runs over five starts, including one in two of his last three games.
The left-batting Olson has hit five of his seven home runs vs. right-handed pitching and is hitting .319 with the platoon advantage this season.
Time: 1:35 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBCS-Philadelphia, BravesVision
Munetaka Murakami (+290)
Munetaka Murakami has had a dream start to his MLB career, with his 11 home runs tied for the lead among all batters.
The Chicago White Sox first baseman has been on fire with six home runs over his last eight contests, and I like his chances to go long again vs. a brutal Washington Nationals pitching staff.
Nats starter Foster Griffin has already given up five homers in five games, including two against the Braves last time out. Washington has allowed 48 home runs — more than any other team — with 24 of those given up by the bullpen.
Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Chicago Sports Network, Nationals.TV
Chris Faria's 2026 Transparency Record
HR picks: 2-7, +4.3 units
Today’s HR parlay
Aaron Judge
Bet Now +5204
Matt Olsoin
Munetaka Murakami
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The good news: Anthony Edwards suffered no ligament damage from the kind of injury that can easily lead to ACL or PCL tears.
The bad news: Ewards is going to be out "multiple weeks" due to the bone bruise from the left knee hyperextension he suffered on Saturday against Denver, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. For comparison, when the Nuggets' Nikola Jokic suffered this injury during the season, he was out for a month, and on that timeline not only is Edwards out for the remainder of this first-round series but likely the second should the Timberwolves advance.
The injury occurred when Edwards went up to challenge a shot by Denver's Cameron Johnson and just landed wrong, hyperextending his left knee. This is the opposite knee from the one with runner's knee, which had been bothering him for weeks, and he had played through in this series.
Edwards' knee injury occurred in the same game in which Minnesota's starting guard, Donte DiVincenzo, tore his Achilles and will be out for the remainder of the playoffs, as well as most or all of next season.
Even without two of their starters, the Timberolves rallied behind reserve guard Ayo Dosunmu and his 43 points — 27 in the second half, 15 in the fourth quarter — and pulled away to beat the Nuggets 112-96, giving Minnesota a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
Edwards was averaging 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists a game through the first three games of these playoffs. He is the team's primary scorer and shot creator and their offense will not be the same without him.
British rock supergroup Cream performing at the Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, London, 19th February 1967. Left to right: Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A.J. Russell started for Hickory, striking out three and walking two in two innings while allowing two runs. Moises Morales struck out six in five shutout innings.
Paulino Santana had a hit. Yolfran Castillo had a hit and a stolen base. Hector Osorio had a hit. Josh Spring had a hit.
Frisco’s game was called after five innings due to weather. Frisco starter Dylan MacLean went 4.2 innings, allowing five runs, striking out six and walking two while allowing a home run.
Dylan Dreiling had a hit. Keith Jones II had a hit.
In the first game, Ryan Brasier struck out three and walked one in a scoreless inning.
Cam Cauley was 3 for 4 with a double. Aaron Zavala had a double.
In the second game, Thomas Ireland struck out four and walked one in 2.1 scoreless inning. Josh Sborz allowed a two run homer in an inning of work, walking one and striking out two. Robbie Ahlstrom struck out three in 1.2 scoreless innings. Michel Otanez allowed a run in 1.2 IP, walking four and striking out three.
Justin Foscue had a double and a walk. Michael Helman had a hit.
Apr 22, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) celebrates outside the dugout after` hitting a solo-home run against the Athletics during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
The Mariners drew more fans in April than they have in 20-plus years.
T-Mobile Park has hosted 539,263 fans so far in 2026. That’s the second most in March and April in the history of the park, only bested by 619,771 fans in April 2002. The average attendance over 17 games (31,721 fans) is sixth most, behind all the years 2000-2004.
That said, not that many fans showed up to Opening Day. Well, it was essentially a sell out at 44,938 fans. But that’s actually the fourth fewest in the history of Opening Day at T-Mobile Park (though still a skosh higher than 42,871 on Opening Day last year).
Why? Probably because first pitch was at 7:10 p.m. on a Thursday against the Guardians with the temperature in the 40s.
The best attendance so far actually came on Saturday, April 18, with 45,552 tickets sold. About 10,000 of those fans went home with a Cal Raleigh 70s Night jersey. The others were treated to 70-degree weather while they watched the Mariners snap a four-game losing streak against the Rangers.
I wrote at length about the Mariners attendance at the end of last season. I did some loose math in search of what determines attendance, and found to no surprise that fans mostly like winners. Teams that win see more fans throughout the season, and teams that make the playoffs often get a big boost the following year. I figured there’s a reasonable shot for the Mariners to draw three million fans this year. Attendance is up in April for a reason.
In that post, I pointed out that the April schedule looked like a tough draw. For instance, I thought the Guardians weren’t ideal out the gate in the frigid days of March. That ended up being wrong. Yes, Opening Day attendance was (relatively) low, as stated above, but game two was the fourth highest attended game two in the history of the park. Game three was the second best game three. More than 156,000 fans poured into the stadium on Opening Weekend. Fans were excited to see their new banner.
I also pointed out the timing of the Yankees series was not ideal. This ended up being correct. It was the second series of the season in March on a Monday to Wednesday for the only home series against the Yankees of the year. Fans care very much about who the Mariners play when deciding whether to show up, and the Yankees tend to be one of the five biggest draws in Seattle each year. This year, only an average of 27,832 fans showed up, making it the third lowest attendance for a series against the Yankees in the history of the park.
Still, fans showed up big time for the series against the Rangers and Astros. If attendance were to hold at the level from April, the Mariners would expect to draw 2,569,401 fans in 2026, or just a smidge more fans than 2025. If the team wins, however, attendance should trend up as the weather gets warm. This isn’t a bad start toward three million.
After the road trip, the Mariners will face the Royals for Randy Johnson Number Retirement Weekend. Fans will get a jersey on Friday, they’ll get to see the Big Unit himself on Saturday, and they’ll get a Kingdome pin on Sunday. Then they’ll face the Braves — another potentially big draw — on that pesky Monday through Wednesday slate. Perhaps warmer weather will compel larger turn out. Later in the month is the Vedder Cup, followed by a weekday series with the White Sox. How will the Mariners coax fans to the ballpark to see the South Siders? A well-timed Josh Naylor bobblehead, of course.
As the summer progresses, there will be jersey days and collegiate nights and value games and fireworks and bobbles and Funkos and Blue Jays. The Mariners will also celebrate their 50th season on August 8 against the Rays — the same team and dates of last year’s spectacular Ichiro weekend.
The Mariners finish the year with a six-game homestand — two against the Astros and four against the Angels. Again, if they’re relevant, people will show up for a chance to see the Mariners clinch their first ever back-to-back AL West title.
The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that defenseman Alexander Nikishin did in fact suffer a concussion in Game 4 as a result of the hit thrown by Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven.
Nikishin was caught unaware by Kleven early in the second period as he was attempting to play a puck along the boards in the Hurricanes' defensive zone.
While the hit caught him square in the chest/shoulder area, the sheer force of it and the fact that Nikishin wasn't prepared for it made it an unfortuante circumstance for the Russian blueliner.
Alexander Nikishin had to be helped off the ice after being hit by Tyler Kleven.
The hit was not dirty by NHL standards, but it was a bit predatory for my liking and Kleven himself admitted as much in his postgame comments, essentially saying that he was looking to take a pound of flesh in retribution for the hit on Jake Sanderson in Game 3.
Nikishin remained down on the ice for quite a while following the hit and he ultimately had to be helped to the locker room, however he was up and about in the locker room following the game and made his way back to Raleigh with the team that night.
And with Carolina sweeping their first round series, Nikishin will have more time to rest up, although he still might not be ready for the start of the second round.
However, the Hurricanes are more prepared this year than in previous for a loss on the blueline with Mike Reilly waiting in the wings as well as a pair of other battle tested rookies in Charles Alexis Legault and Joel Nystrom.
"We did get looks at guys for, not just a game or two, but for real extended periods, which not only gives us a little more confidence, but it certainly gives them more confidence if they have to get thrown in there," said Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour.
Hopefully Nikishin will be ready sooner rather than later, but the Hurricanes are a deep team and they can weather the loss if need be.
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At times during the Pies’ big win at the MCG the 38-year-old appeared to be playing 10 simultaneous games of chess – and Essendon had no answer
The week in football was characterised in many ways by the absence of competence. There wasn’t much competence over at Kayo, which had more crashes than Leslie Nielsen. There wasn’t much competence in the umpiring on Friday night. There wasn’t much competence at the AFL tribunal, with its barking dogs and house inspections. There wasn’t much competence, or basic decency, at its appeals board.
“Competence porn” is a term we hear a lot these days, mainly in relation to television and film. In a world run by people who temperamentally and intellectually aren’t far from the sandpit, it’s the craving for content that showcases craft and care. It’s there in shows like The Pitt where doctors and nurses under incredible strain maintain both their excellence and (mostly) their sanity. The AFL should poach primary charge nurse Dana Evans from Pittsburgh to run their score review system, or their tribunal, or the whole competition. She’d ship it into shape in half a shift.
The Los Angeles Kings have their backs against the wall in their first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. The Kings are down 3-0 and are struggling to find ways to outscore the Avs.
"I'm hoping it's not going to be (my last game)," Kopitar told NHL.com. Indeed, it would be a disappointing way to sign off on the magical career that Kopitar had.
Unfortunately for the 38-year-old, it doesn't look good for the Kings based on the first three games of this series against the Avalanche.
Defensively, Los Angeles has put up a fight against a Colorado roster that is littered with stars and elite talent. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Brock Nelson, Martin Necas and Nazem Kadri have all been limited to one point each in these playoffs.
In the first three games in this series, Los Angeles hasn't scored more than two goals. To go with that, the Kings' top line that includes Kopitar, as well as Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe on his flanks, have not scored a single point at even strength.
Kopitar himself is the only player in the team's top-six forward group to not record a point in these playoffs. Also, he's averaged 19:14 of ice time and has registered a team-low minus-four plus-minus rating.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 03: Brad Lidge acknowledges the crowd before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 5 of the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday, November 3, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Brad Lidge is an archaeologist in real life. The following, however, does not take place in real life. It takes place in the year 3026, when the Phillies, and the sport they played, have been forgotten by all. All that is, except for the archaeologists who study the distant, dusty past. Among them is a scholar by the name of Brad Lidge the 35th, who is only now beginning to discover the grand drama of which his ancestor was a part. It is an imaginary story… aren’t they all?
Scene: A conference room at the annual meeting of the Worldwide Society of Archaeologists. The year, 3026. BRAD LIDGE THE 35TH, a young, talented scholar, bright-eyed, eager, is on stage, presenting his research.
LIDGE:
…, the Phillies were thought by our field to be a myth, characters in tales told by the ancient Philadelphians to teach their children valuable lessons in how to persevere through failure. That is, of course, until the discovery of the Complaint Tablet to WIP-Nāsir, which conclusively proved their existence as actual historical figures. Though we know little of the game they played, we are aware that it was called “baseball”, that it took place in various public forums, and that it involved a village elder dressing up as a mysterious creature known as the Phanatic, whose rhythmic dances were possibly part of a Philadelphian fertility ritual.
We also know that the Phillies apparently never won. Our colleagues have identified hundreds of fragments of parchment, uncovered from various sites around the Philadelphia region, each of which reads something like “Braves triumph over Phillies” or “Phillies fall to Cubs”. Like the even-more ancient gladiators of ancient Rome, these Phillies appeared to be tasked with battling both humans and animals. Unlike their Roman counterparts, the Phillies did not appear to taste the glory of victory on any occasion. None of the extant fragments, dating all the way back to April 14, 2026, detail a Phillies win. The standard view, as you all know, is that the Phillies did not really play baseball, but instead took part in a highly choreographed ritual in which they always played the part of the losing team, likely as part of diplomatic tributes to rival societies in Atlanta and New York. That interpretation can explain all of the known evidence.
But it can’t explain this.
Lidge presses a button on his computer, and a photo fills the screen behind him. It depicts a battered parchment, torn in places, reading …“edelphia Inqui… PHI…IES DEF..T MARL..NS…”
A gasp goes through the room.
LIDGE:
This fragmentary parchment was found lining an ancient storage vessel in the Philadelphian settlement once known as Fishtown. Though the text is partially lost, it clearly states that the Phillies won a baseball game over a team most likely known as the Marlins. Perhaps the settlement took its name in celebration of this victory over their aquatic foes—
PROFESSOR METZ, a bitter, sarcastic archaeologist, snorts and removes his glasses in a condescending fashion.
METZ:
Doctor Lidge, you cannot expect us to believe this. We have documentation of ten consecutive losses for the Phillies. It is simply not plausible that a team could lose to that extent if they were actually taking part in genuine competition.
LIDGE:
Then how do you explain this fragment?
METZ:
Perhaps it is like the Sumerian bar joke: we have the words, but not the context to understand them. It had meaning, once, but the meaning is lost to us.
LIDGE:
The meaning is clear. The Phillies did once win a game. Perhaps even more than once—
METZ:
Sure, sure! What’s next— you’ve uncovered a potsherd with proof that the Phillies roster carried a proper cleanup hitter?
The room erupts into laughter. LIDGE, humiliated, walks off stage, muttering to himself.
LIDGE:
Let them laugh— I’ll prove it to them!
SCENE: Days later, LIDGE, a torch in one hand, slumps against a wall in the dark, dusty ruins of what was once Citizens Bank Park. Though he began his expedition with enthusiasm, regret has begun to set in. Sweat pools on his brow. Fatigue fills his very being.
LIDGE:
Cubs 10, Phillies 4. Braves 9, Phillies 0. Diamondbacks 4, Phillies 3. Days and days spent here, and all I’ve found is records of Phillies losses. Maybe they’re right. Maybe the Phillies never did win a game.
LIDGE leans back against the wall in despair. Suddenly, a single green feather floats down, landing on his face. He picks it up, lifts it, holds it to the light, awestruck.
LIDGE:
My god. This is the genuine article, not part of a costume…The Phanatic was real. What if… what if all of it was real? Not myth, not performance… Could Bedlam at the Bank have been an actual historical event? Could the Ovation of Turner have really happened? Could the god of merriment known only as “Kruk” have been a real man?
A bright light fills the room. LIDGE shields his eyes. When he dares to look, before him stands the ghostly figure of THE PHANATIC.
LIDGE:
It is said in the ancient texts that you appear to Philadelphians true of spirit in their time of greatest need, and also in the seventh inning. I beg you, Phanatic: show me the way.
THE PHANATIC points towards a loose brick in the wall behind LIDGE. LIDGE reaches for the brick, presses it. A rumbling, a cloud of dust. A secret passage opens in the wall opposite. THE PHANATIC nods, then vanishes.LIDGE walks through the passage, finding himself in a room packed with newspapers, pennants, bobbleheads, memorabilia of all kinds.
LIDGE:
This… this can’t be. This says… Phillies National League East Champions, 2025… Phillies National League Champions 2022…
He sees a bobblehead on a pillar at the center of the room. He picks it up. It depicts the Phanatic waving a pennant that reads…
LIDGE:
“Phillies World Champions 2008”! The Phillies won! They won more than a game! They were champions. They were champions!
Suddenly, a rumbling, bigger than before, sets everything in the room shaking. A massive boulder, painted with red lines and stitches, bursts through the wall, crushing everything in its path. LIDGE runs for his life, clinging to the bobblehead. As he sprints, he comes to a chasm. Certain death on one side, safety on the other. With no choice but to dare, he leaps, barely catching the ledge. The boulder drops into the depths below. But the danger is not over. As LIDGE struggles to hoist himself up, he realizes that he cannot do so with one hand. He will have to drop the bobblehead, or die.
LIDGE:
No. No! But there’s no other way…
LIDGE, sorrow filling his features, drops the bobblehead. It falls into the darkness, lost forever. He pulls himself up, catches his breath.
LIDGE:
I was so close. So close!
LIDGE drops to his knees and raises his fists to the heavens. But in a despairing sort of way, not a “just got the last out of the World Series” sort of way.
LIDGE:
I know, Phillies. I know that you won games. But how can I ever prove it?
A scrap of paper drops from above, fluttering gently into his hands, as if directed by an external force. Lidge holds it up, reads the text by the light filtering through a crack in the ceiling.
LIDGE:
“April 25th, 2026: Phillies 8, Braves 5”!
LIDGE pumps his fist triumphantly. The Indiana Jones theme plays, which is fine, because this is 3026 and the copyright has expired. He strides forward, out of the ruins, back into the world of the living, as the sun filters into the ancient ballpark, filling the home of Rollins, Utley, Howard, and yes, Brad Lidge, with daylight…
COVERS INTEL: Carmen Mlodzinski is averaging 38.4 inches of vertical drop on his split-finger fastball, an increase of 2.1 inches over last season.
Ernie Clement
Nolan McLean
Landen Roupp
Aaron Judge
Matt Olson
Munetaka Murakami
